HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, May 10: PTI Guwahati Bureau Chief Durba Ghosh was conferred the Brahmaputra Valley Journalism Award by the Assam State Journalists Union (ASJU) during its 12th Foundation Day celebration at Charaideo on Saturday.
The award carries a citation, mementoes and a cash prize.
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Born and brought up in Jharkhand, Durba Ghosh joined the PTI Kolkata office in 1991 and later took charge of the Guwahati bureau, where she has written extensively on various issues concerning the Northeast. She has also edited the voluminous biography of scholar Rajmohan Nath under a project sponsored by the Asom Sahitya Sabha.
Receiving the award, Ghosh said she was proud to receive the recognition at a World Heritage Site, the centre of Ahom monarchical rule and as someone married into the illustrious Ahom family of Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the first president of the Asom Sahitya Sabha.
Speaking on the challenges faced by journalism, she said journalists must evolve new strategies to survive and prosper in the digital era, which poses a challenge to mainstream journalism.
The meeting, held at Charaideo Tourist Lodge, was presided over by ASJU president Jitu Sharma Rajkhowa and inaugurated by Prof Manorama Borgohain, Assistant Professor of Gargaon College. She said journalists are like oxygen for a democratic society, without whom it becomes difficult to breathe and live.
Earlier, the ASJU flag was hoisted by Jitu Sharma Rajkhowa, while the smrititarpan ceremony was conducted by Manoj Kumar Borthakur, executive president of ASJU and Alim Ahmed, president of Sonari Press Club. Pradip Deka, secretary of ASJU, spoke on the objectives of the organisation.
On the present crisis in journalism, noted writer Lu Syun Shyam Gohain expressed gratitude to BR Ambedkar for ensuring freedom of speech in the Constitution. He also spoke on the challenges faced by journalists today, including social media, electronic media, artificial intelligence, black money and unhealthy competition.
Ratul Bora, founder secretary of ASJU, said it is unfortunate that journalists often have to work under the watchful eyes of media owners and corporate interests.
The organising committee also felicitated journalists Ramprasad Phukan of Kakojan, Kanchan Chutia of Sonari, Dwijen Gogoi of Borhat and Mahesh Gaduka of Sonari.
The central committee felicitated members of the organising committee with gamosas. Charaideo district was declared the best district unit, while the next biennial meeting of ASJU is scheduled to be held in Dibrugarh district.
Dhrubajyoti Barua, secretary of Charaideo district committee, delivered the vote of thanks.
